Recovery from Mental Illness: Understanding the Therapeutic Interventions of Shifaa Centres
Noor Mohamed Abdinoor, Ahmed Osman Warfa
Interdisciplinary Journal of Education February 7, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.53449/nvhnxr24 via DOAJ
Summary
Shifaa centers in Garissa County, Kenya, blend conventional psychiatric methods with spiritual and religious techniques to treat mental illness. The hybrid approach is effective, with many clients recovering, though some substance-induced psychotic patients relapse after discharge. Spirituality and religion are central to recovery. The study recommends recognizing and institutionalizing this blended model, and calls for larger studies in other towns, as well as research on relapse causes and the role of Jinn (unseen spirit possession) in mental health.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | medical personnel, psycho-social counsellors, religious expert, and administrative staff at two Shifaa centres in Garissa County, Kenya |
| Key finding | Therapeutic interventions at Shifaa centres, which combine conventional psychiatric methods with spiritual/religious techniques, are robust, hybrid, and effective for mental health recovery, though some substance-induced psychotic patients experience relapse after discharge. |
Abstract
This paper examines the therapeutic interventions of Shifaa centres in Garissa County, Kenya. Shifaa centres are becoming popular and significantly sought for mental health services. The aim of this inter-disciplinary research was to explain the therapeutic interventions of Shifaa centre. The study clarifies the inter-play of conventional psychiatric methods and spiritual/religious oriented techniques of offering mental health services. Data was gathered from two Shifaa centres in Garissa County-Kenya. In-depth interviews were conducted with two medical personnel, two psycho-social counsellors, one religious expert and one administrative staff working in two centres. The outcome reveals spirituality and religion as basis for mental recovery. Therapeutic interventions utilized in Shifaa centres were robust, hybrid and effective. Shifaa centres reported a significant number of clients having recovered from mental illness. However, there were some instances of relapse in substance induced psychotic patients after discharge. This blended approach need to be recognized, institutionalized and promoted because of its significant positive impact on mental health recovery and its value addition to human life. Further researches are recommended on larger samples and in other towns and studies of causes of relapse. Detailed research to unravel the concept of dealing with Jinn (unseen spirit possession) will add more value.